Wrist watch bracelet clasp



Jan. 30, 1940, w. L. BRIDLER 2,188,471

'WRIST WATCH BRACELET CLASP` Filed Oct. 13, 1957 FI 6.6 INVENTOR WALTER L. BRIDLER TTORNE YS Patented Jan. 3i), 1940 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to wristwatch bracelet fasteners, and has for its object an improved organization of parts by means of which such a device may, in cooperation with the watch case itself, be locked in position about the wrist and detached from such position with a maximum of security as Well as convenience in handling. The construction shown additionally commends itself from the standpoint of avoidance of strain about the wrist during the process of fastening and unfastening it, as well as affording an unusual degree of protection to the watch case either when worn or when detached from the wrist.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan View of the Watch case and its holding frame pieces with fragmentary representations at each end of the wrist-encircling bracelet.

Figure 2 is a similar view, but with the frame elements of the watch case proper disassociated from one another but in longitudinal alignment.

Figure 3 is a similar View of the parts, showing their relative positioning in the initial stages of the movement leading to the locking of the parts.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows there shown.

Figure 5 is a similar sectional View taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows there shown.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional View taken along the line 6 6 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows there shown.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective, showing the outer or right hand end of the slidable holding or frame piece at the right hand end of Figures 1 and 3, and at about the center of composite Figure 2.

A indicates a wrist-encircling and preferably flexible bracelet, whose linkage may be of any desired form, and B a watch case which is provided at one end with the usual Winding stem C and at the other end with lugs or projecting ears D, through which, as well as through the adjacent end of the bracelet, the correlating pin or stud E extends.

Similarly connected to the other end of the bracelet A, as by the stud F, is a skeleton or rectangular frame G, one of Whose end pieces is recessed as at G for the lodgement therein of the winding stern C when the several parts of the construction are assembled. The interior surfaces of the side pieces of this frame are grooved, as at G2, for the limited slidable engagement therein of the tongues H on the side pieces of the supplemental frame H, which is shown in its extreme withdrawn position relatively to the frame G in Figure 3, and which is the position in which the parts are placed after the bracelet portion has been drawn around the wrist, and preparatory to the interlocking of the several structural parts dealt with herein. The inner lateral faces of this supplemental frame H are smc-oth, as are the outer lateral faces of the watch case B, which is adapted to be rested therein, in the position shown in Figure 3, as the first step towards the interlocking of the parts. The lugs D at that end of 'the watch case adjacent its connection with the bracelet A are each cut away or recessed slightly, as at D2, to permit their tting over the projections G7 at the adjacent corners of the skeleton frame G. When the watch case has thus been lodged upon the frame H, the two parts are slid forwardly, that is, to the left, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, until the winding stern C engages within the recess G of the skeleton frame, this movement being maintained in exact alignment, thanks to the ribs H on the supplemental frame engaging in the grooves G2 of the skeleton frame.

The now attained interengaging position of the parts is that shown in Figures 1, 4, and 6, and unintended retracted movement of the supplemental frame H and its watch case B may now be prevented by means of the latch or detent J, which is positioned in the cross bar H2 of the supplemental frame, the tongue thereof, as J engaging in the centrally notched portion G8 of the terminal cross oar G6 of the skeleton frame G. The parts are thus locked in the position shown in Figures l and 4, with the watch case and its supporting supplemental frame securely held against dislodgeinent from the skeleton frame G. When the detachment of the parts preliminary to removal of the watch from the users wrist is desired, it is only necessary to lift the latch piece J until its projection J no longer engages the notched cross bar Gr6 of the skeleton frame, when the latter may be drawn outwardly preliminarily to the lifting out of the Watch case B.

A desirable though not indispensible feature of the described construction is shown in the con touring of the overengaging hook pieces G4 of the skeleton frame, so that correspondingly located projections B on the watch case may definitely engage thereunder when the watch case and its supporting supplemental frame are forced to the assembled position shown in Figure l. And, if desired, a further provision against dislodgement may be found in the contouring of the winding stem recess G', so that when the winding stem C lodges therein it is below the horizontal diametrical or half-way line of the recess G', so that the winding stem can be lifted only after it has been definitely retracted by movement of the watch case B until the winding stem no longer engages in the recess G. In other words, the distance between the points G5 on either side of the recess G is definitely less than the external diameter of the winding stem C. Even when thus lodged, however, sufficient of its periphery is accessible to permit the usual winding by rolling pressure of ones thumb or finger thereover. Whether this described engagement of the winding stem C within the recess G be employed or not, the lodgement of the watch case A in the frame elements may be rendered additionally secure by the provision of the interior corner projections H5, upon the ends of the cross bar H of the skeleton frame G, which, when the supplemental frame H is moved inwardly, engage in correspondingly located cut-away portions D2 in the lugs D, thus holding the watch case against rising within the frame until the supplemental frame H has again been moved outwardly relatively to the skeleton framev G. And this in turn cannot be done until the projection J of the latch J has been lifted from its interlocking engagement with the notched cross piece G6 of the main frame G.

What I claim ist 1. Means for eifecting the locking of a wrist watch bracelet about a supporting element, comprising in combination with a relatively flexible band, a watch case connected with one end of the latter, and a skeleton frame member connected with the other end thereof, a limitedly movable supplemental frame piece supported by said skeleton frame member and within which said watch case accurately ts when positioned therein, selected portions of said watch case being adapted to interttingly engage corresponding portions of said skeleton frame when the supplemental frame and its supported watch case have been moved inwardly with respect to said skeleton frame, and a manually operable latch member carried by said supplemental frame and adapted to operatively engage a correspondingly located portion of said skeleton frame whereby the two frame elements and the then included watch case may be locked in their attained position of interengagement.

2. In combination with a wrist-encircling band, a skeleton frame member connected with one end thereof, a watch case of a size and contour generally corresponding with that of said skeleton frame member, connected with the other end of said wrist-encircling band, a limitedly slidable supplemental frame supported by said skeleton frame member and of general correspondence therewith as regards its size and shape, and in which said watch case is adapted to be positioned when the supplemental frame is in its outdrawn position relatively to said skeleton frame member, said watch case and said skeleton frame member being provided with interengageable projections which serve to hold said watch oase against displacement relatively yto said supplemental frame when the latter is in turn moved inwardly relatively to said skeleton frame member, and manually operable means carried by said supplemental frame and adapted to be forced into engagement with a correspondingly positioned part of said skeleton frame member when the supplemental frame has been moved inwardly with respect thereto, whereby both of said frame members and their then included watch case are held against disassemblage.

WALTER L. BRIDLER. 

